Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-12-09

And shall never you no more see?'
This set him to thinking. Why
should he go back? And the thinking
ended in rosolution-ho would not go
back. 1t came out in words tho first
opportunity: 81 do not mean to go
back 10 England, Fraulein, but shall
settle down in Germany. If | can get
any work.
There is plenty of work on the
farm" said the Fraulein.
This did not altogether chime in with
Ben's view OF life. Work was thing
to be endured. not courted. Plenty to
eat and to drink, and nothing to do.
was Ben's domestic creed. Still he
could work. and not work very hard.
and if he married Fraulein the farm
would be rs good as his at once. and
absolutely his some day. He might do
worse; he feared he could not do bet
ter.
I've had some news from home,
Ben, that ought to please you. Your
old sweetheart at the rectory has had
couple of thousand pounds left her by
her uncle, the m Her."
Two thousand pounds" Why. that's
a fortune. Things is becoming ex-
tremcly compl Gated. | think shall
90 back with the master.
That night letter was d spatched to
England, bearing on the envelope the
name of Miss Anna Robinson. at the
rectory, Westly, Shropshire. This was
the letter:
MY deerest Anner-I opc this will fine, you
In good eth as 1t leaves me at present. NV
deerest Amer it is a long time sense. | rote
to yew, but their have been so much TO do as
have no time. | hop this will fine you, in
good helth deerest Amer. This IA very quite
place, their is no sports or noihiuk orphan
sy, for deer old Englan an the swete faces,
specially one, left behind. ! ope to see, II
soon, so know more az present from your trew
lover. BEN"
What the Fraulein thought of it
when she heard that Ben had ch tnge
his mind ] hardly know. but he made
some plausible excuse. have no doubt,
and promised (to soothe her wounded
feelings that he would soon return.
Once more at Wesley! The first
evening after his arrival Ben went
down to the rectory. Anna was out
but the coachman was in,
''Yo back again. my lad Yore just
Ike bobby. Affirming mp when YOU
are not wanted.
That was the coachmans welcome
and Ben resented it.
Perhaps, if you don't want me.
there's some one else as does "
Then perhaps there's two on EN-.
for | see two on EN- together not five
minutes ago"
Hey exclaimed Ben
LAS much hay as yo' like, my lad.
We gies it to the osses and can spare a
bit for donkey.
Clearl y. there was no friendly feeling
on the part Of the coachman for Ben.
Then the cook tackled him. you've
made fine mess of it. Ben Have you
heard what she's left her ?''
LIEF; her ~ exclaimed the hunbue.
YES. left hcr-f2O00; and she's 90
ing for it on Monday. tn make them
very comfortable.
Her and her mother" suggested
Ben.
"Ho no. no. no ~ roared the coach
man.
Hi, hi. hi. hir' laughed the cook.
"Ilee, hec, hee, hee ?" sang the
kitchen maid-al in chorus.
Her and her mother ~ and then
they went off again.
ITS very funny said the victim.
"but don't see where the fun comes
in. -
Don't e now ? Then I'll tell YER
Yo're come back TO make i up wi her
because 70 an heard As hers got some
money. But it bespoke already for
her and her mother"
Coachman. cook and kitchen maid
repeat chorus.
I'll not take it. said Ben. from
no ones lips but hers. Her said herd
stick to me, and I've stuck to her, and
expect her'll stick 10 me, and that's
all about it. "
Then you can take it from her lips
now, Mr.. Benjamin" said Anna, COM
ing in at the moment. You never
wrote to me for more than IL months.
though | wrote to you twice. and then,
when | had some money left me, you
sent me letter pretending as how you
was very fond OF me. Afore YOU went
away / said to The cOachman: IF he's
not in earnest. then III not in earnest.
and that all about il. f."
Never mind" sad Bent To himself
hat night, IF one door shuts another
ioor opens"
Yes. the door was open when Ben
got there. some six weeks after he had
eft. He entered the house with the
air OF a master, pausing a moment to
ook round on the vineyards which